Team-BHP - Leh, Ladakh and Zanskar

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979 (Post 3750442)

The problem is for vehicles going towards Leh from Manali side. While coming back, as long as you have pollution certificate, there is no issues.
The orders are very specific to vehicles climbing towards Rohtang for Manali. Locals regularly do it from the other side.
So you do not have to come back via Srinagar. You can come back via Manali

Thanks once again Tanveer. Although we now have a 99% final plan, we will keep bugging you for additional details. Going by the level of dedication I have see from your end all the way through 65 odd pages of this thread I guess that would be fine with you :)
Once again heartfelt thanks from our team in your priceless assistance in shaping this critical leg of our trip.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsyFreak (Post 3746589)

I too have plans for ladakh in August. Will be travelling from Bangalore in my Scorpio 4wd.
Looking for companions from Bangalore or enroute.
I'll send you a personal mail to workout things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ajitsingh208 (Post 3746502)

Hi guys,

I am planning to do Pune-Leh -Pune around mid August in my Safari. Is there anyone else from anywhere who has a plan of starting on similar dates?

Hi Guys! I am planning a Kanyakumari to Leh around the same time (Begin the journey on 14th Aug/15Aug). I will be joined by my friend. We will be covering Kanyakumari - Gurgaon in his Honda City and then switch to my Safari Storme for the Gurgoan - Leh - Gurgaon phase. Would be happy to connect

Hi guys,

A friend and I are travelling to Leh by air on 30 July and flying back from Srinagar to Delhi on 8 Aug. If possible, we want to do our own driving around Leh. Are there any self drive rentals for 4x4 or other vehicles in Leh, or is rental only for bikes there? How early do we require to book accommodation considering it's peak season now? If pre-booking is a must, which are some good ways to book? Thanks for the help.

Checking back to see if anyone had replied, and ended up looking at all the pics in this marvelous guide again. I feel like I am going on a tour of another planet and it's attracting me like a magnet.
Now I have a good idea of the itinerary: 30 July-land at Leh, roam locally and relax. 31 July-Set off to Nubra, stay somewhere. 1 Aug-Leave Nubra for Pangong Tso via Wari La and spend the remaining day+night at Pangong (around Spangmik). 2 Aug-Set off for Hanle on the Chushul-Kaksang La-Loma route and spend the night at Hanle (Big thank you to Tanveer for the achingly beautiful pics). 3 Aug-Start for Kun Tso to stop at Tso Mori Ri and stay there. 4 Aug-Return to Leh. 5 and 6 Aug - Drive to Srinagar via Kargil (preferably the Batalik route). 7 Aug-in and around Srinagar. 8 Aug-Fly out. Is this doable?
I so wish I could drive my SX4 all the way, but from south India to Ladakh, not enough time at hand. Will to drive remains though, I just hope and hope to find some input for a self drive. Maybe some sort of arrangement locally?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta Wing (Post 3751292)

Unfortunately, you do not have much choice other than hiring a taxi with driver. Self drive cars were recently stopped for operating in the region, and with the Taxi Mafia going to the extent of vandalizing cars, you cannot take a risk too.
So either its a taxi, or your own vehicle.
AS for your plans, its doable. However not all drivers may be willing to take the Kyun Tso route. You can contact Sonam at 946922430. Give my reference(he will remember the safari which broke down).

He runs the Padma guest house there, and also runs a Tata 207. He can give you a day trip to Kyun Tso should you so desire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979 (Post 3113549)

At all check-posts you need to submit a copy and an entry is done in the register.

Hi, I am driving from Bangalore to Ladakh, starting on Thursday ( 3 1/2 days away ). Your post and the accompanying circular seems to suggest than inner circle pass is no longer required for Indian nationals to go to Pangong, Nubra , Tso Moriri etc. Can you please confirm if that is correct.

Pangong, Nubra and Tso Moriri are all "self validation" routes. Just carry copies of the self declaration form (driver, group leader and passenger details).

Be prepared for 2 checkposts at each location which checks permits:
1. Is for permit
2. Is for Ladakh taxi Union

Do advise your route to experts incase you are doing Tso Moriri on a alternate route

Has anyone completed the Delhi --> Srinagar --> Leh --> Manali --> Delhi circuit in the last week? I am reading forecasts that predict rains and thundershowers throughout for the entire next week. I was scheduled to travel on 16th but having 2nd thoughts reading the forecasts. It also says that it is going to rain in and around Leh as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979 (Post 3751314)

Thank you. This is really helpful. I presume we will need permits for Hanle from Merak via Chushul route. I'll get in touch with Sonam.

We are stuck in Srinagar today. We were turned back from outside Srinagar as we were proceeding to Sonmarg.

There are a few others who were being turned back. We have been told to try tomorrow or day after.

Experts, what should I do? If I do get the nod to go ahead, should I proceed or is it just not worth taking undue risk and hardship.

I am absolutely gutted as this is my first trip to the region.:Frustrati

Hi Tanveer/BHPians,
I am pretty sure there are many others in the same boat as mine. With the advent of local taxi mafia going to the extent of vandalizing even private cars(apart from self drive cars) is it really worth taking that extra risk and go ahead with the trip which i had planned in september first week or wait for a couple of weeks and then decideplease: